What is the term for the collection of bones in the human body?

The term that refers to the collection of bones in the human body is "skeleton." The skeleton provides structure and support, protects internal organs, facilitates movement by serving as points of attachment for muscles, and plays a critical role in blood cell production within the bone marrow.

In contrast, cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in various parts of the body, such as joints, the nose, and the ears, but it does not constitute a collection of bones. The matrix refers to the intercellular substance in a tissue, such as bone matrix in bone tissue, but it is not a term that describes a collection of bones themselves. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones at joints, but they are not synonymous with the term "skeleton."